Government Concerned With Rapidly Worsening COVID Situation In Zambia
Zambia has in the last 24 hours recorded 5,255 cases of COVID-19, the highest ever number of new daily infections since the outbreak of the Omicron variant in the country early this month.
And 10 people have in the last 24 hours succumbed to the virus , nine of whom were not vaccinated.
Speaking during the routine COVID updates yesterday, Health Minister Sylvia Masebo said government is concerned with the rapidly worsening COVID situation in the country.
Ms Masebo says transmission is moving swiftly especially in congregate places including work places saying this calls for urgent stringent measures to avert a more severe situation.
She says authoutities through her ministry will beginning today, conduct a 48 hours massive fumigation exercise in all government institutions and has urged the private sector to follow suit.
And Ms. Masebo has discouraged members of the public against patronizing congregate activities during New Year celebrations.
Below is the full ministerial statement
Members of the press, countrymen and women,
Government is deeply concerned about the rapidly worsening COVID-19 situation in the country.
In the last 24 hours, 5,255 new confirmed COVID-19 cases were detected from 16,774 tests conducted, representing a positivity of 31% nationally. This this is the highest number of daily cases ever recorded in Zambia.
We currently have 316 patients admitted to COVID-19 isolation facilities across the country, among whom 119 patients are on oxygen. Unfortunately, we experienced 10 deaths. It is important to note that all the 9 of the 10 deaths were of individuals who were not vaccinated and 86% of the admitted patients are all unvaccinated.
Yesterday, we recorded a total of 25,470 vaccinations, bringing our cumulative number of people who have received dose 1 to 497,818 and those fully immunised to 1,171,582.
We have observed that transmission is spreading rapidly especially among people in congregate settings including the workplace.
This situation calls for urgent and decisive action on our part as Government and the country as a whole, because we cannot wait and watch the situation become even worse.
Therefore, Government, through the Ministry of Health together with other Line Ministries and all stakeholders will implement the following measures:
Mobilize to move in all government buildings to immediately start a nation-wide fumigation exercise over the next 48 hours beginning this afternoon.
Gatherings are strongly discouraged, especially during the end of year festivities.
Members of the public who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 are encouraged to be vaccinated from various vaccination centers countrywide.
Members of the public who are vaccinated with the primary series of vaccines and are willing and eligible for booster vaccines should also get booster vaccines.
Children aged 12-18 years should also be taken to vaccination centers offering vaccines for children.
The public should continue to use facemasks, sanitize and physical distance as much as possible.
Members of the public should avoid crowded places and also those who are well should limit visiting hospitals as they are infectious areas.
The private sector is encouraged to follow suit and ensure in-door fumigation in their premises.
These measures are an effort to mitigate against fast increasing transmission of this fourth wave. The government anticipates minimal disruption on work and business through this period and we call upon the public to cooperate and support this effort.
Hon. Sylvia T. Masebo, MP
MINISTER OF HEALTH